The Richmonde Hotel

The Richmonde Hotel is located in Ortigas Center, Pasig City and is walking distance from the Shangri-la Plaza mall and the Manila Metro Rail Transit System train station. It is probably one of the least expensive hotels in the area and is relatively small, with only about 200 rooms. It has a restaurant, bar, lobby café, and health club with a gym, indoor pool and sauna. An overnight stay gives you free access to the health club and a buffet breakfast the next morning. The only real problem we've had with the hotel is its elevators. It has three elevators, but in the three or four times we've stayed there, only two could be used. One always had a sign saying that it is undergoing maintenance, and sorry for the inconvenience.

Standard room

This is what a standard room at the Richmonde Hotel looks likes. You get either two singles or one double bed. There's an armchair with a footstool—perfect for reading because of the swivel lamp beside it. Hidden by the TV (which has cable, of course) is a desk and chair. The cabinet under the TV hides a small refrigerator and a safe. Behind me to the right is a clothes closet and to the left is the bathroom. Nothing fancy, really, but definitely comfy.

Interesting roof lines

I wish I could tell you what these four building in the Ortigas Center are, but I can only identify the two in the middle. The one with the pointy roof is Richmonde Hotel. The ziggurat overhung with plants is one of my two favorite buildings in the area, the headquarters of San Miguel Corporation. Built in 1976, it was designed by the brothers Manuel, Jose and Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa. San Miguel is one of the largest food, beverage and packing companies in the Philippines but is probably best known for its beer.